RSVP a courtesy forgotten

RSVP.

Four initials which are an abbreviation used on invitations requesting a reply — usually by a specified date.

It seems people are no longer taking any notice of RSVPs.

I had a call from a well-known and well-respected business leader in this fine and fair city of ours, upset over the seemingly growing trend of people not replying to invitations.

“It’s rude and it makes it hard to cater for functions,” the person said.

He or she (I was asked not to disclose identity for fear of receiving nastily-toned RSVPs) is on the money.

It should be treated as an honour to be invited anywhere — unless it’s out the back for a fight — and it’s common courtesy to reply.

However, how many of us actually do so — regardless of whether it’s in the affirmative or negative — to an invitation?

I’ve even heard of people not responding to wedding invitations and still rocking up.

Many people don’t accept an invitation but still appear.

Rude? Yes.

And often it creates catering chaos.

Then there are those who respond in the affirmative, but are negative at show time.

Rude? Yes. Again, often it creates a catering chaos.

And, more importantly, the person issuing the invitation may not only be left with an empty chair, but out of pocket, as many functions are paid up front or according to the number of people booked.

The best way of fixing things? Well, invite people somewhere and sit by the phone, or computer or whatever, awaiting responses.

Get to know the feeling of non-responses — or responses which are yay or nay today, and the opposite come function time.

Then you will start RSVPing to your invitations.

Don’t bother replying to this, I’ll be busy answering the latest invitation from Di G.

And seeking forgiveness for not RSVPing to the one before it and the one before that one.